Conveyer system



April 21, l925 T. S. KNAP CONVEYER SYSTEM F'led Dec. 6J 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet have:

@MMVMM April 21 1925.l

T. s. KNAIP *coNvEYER SYSTEM Filed Dec. 6, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 zveyavr Z4/207720125 5.%a70

Patented Apr. 21, 1925.

rUNITED t STATES 1,535,015 PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS S. KNAP, OF SYRACUSE, NEW' YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE LAMSON COMPANY,

0F SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

CONVEYER SYSTEM.

Application led December 6, 1923. Serial N'o. 678,866. v

To all 'whom t may concern.'

B e it known that I, THOMAS S. KNAP, a citizen'of the United States of America, and resident of Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Conveyer Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention concerns conveyer or carrier despatch systems and relates more particularly to automatic means for selectively diverting carriers of different kinds from a main `track into a branch track or station.

Principal objects ofthe invention are to provide automatic selecting mechanism for use in such conveyer systems arranged to segregate carriers of different classes one from another and selectively to divert certain carriers of one of said classes into branch tracks or stations; to cause such diversion to cease when any branch track or station is filled with carriers; and to permit other carriers of said latter class to pass said branch tracks or stations without diversion.

In the accompanying drawings a\ preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed by way of example, and in the-drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of a conveyer system embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view to larger scale illustrating the left hand portion of the con- -veyer system shown in Fig. 1;

' Fig. 3 is a side elevationpf the device shown in Fig. 2 but omitting the branch track;

Fig. 4 is a plan view, Valso to larger scale, illustratingl that portion of the system shown at the right hand side of Fig. 1; Y

Fig. 5 is aside elevation of the part shown in Fig. 4, but omitting the branch track;

Fig. 6 isa vertical section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2;`and

Fig. 7 isa plan View of the parts shown in Fig. 6 ltogether with certain associated parts. y

`rReferring' to Fig. 1, the numeral 1 indicates the main track of a conveyer systeml comprising the supporting rails 2 and 3 and the endless belt 4 which constitutes the floor of the track. This belt may be supported by rollers and driven in a manner well track.

branch track 5 in the direction of movement of carriers along the. main track, a branch track 9 diverges from the side of the main track. While but a single such vbranch track 9 is illustrated herein, it is to be understood that this merely exemplifies one of a seriesof similar tracks, and that such tracks may diverge from either Side of the main track as occasion may demand.

Preferably the branch track 9 consists oi spaced side rails 10 and 11 supporting the rollers 13 which constitute the floor of the The track 9 may like the track 5 be of gravity type if desired. The branch track 9 is furnished with guard rails 12 to revent carriers from sliding sidewise oil t e branch track in entering the latter.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, a substantially vertical rock shaft 14 is journalled to turn in bearings adjacent to the side of the main track 1 opposite to the branch track 5. A switch or deflector arm 15 is secured to the rock shaft 14 so as to swing with the latter in a plane adjacent to but above the plane of the main track. This switch arm 15 is of suilicient length to extend completely across the main track at such an angle as to lie substantially parallel-to or in alignment with the inner rail 6 of the branch track 5. The inner or free extremity of the switch arm is supported by means of a brace rod 16 secured to its outer end and also tothe rock shaft 14 at the point 17. A coil spring 18 encircles the rock shaft 14 and normally reacts upon the shaft to hold the switch arm 15 in operative position as shown 1n Fig. e2. Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7 the end of the switch arm is provided with an extension 19' which normally engages a substantially vertical face 20 of a latch devlce 21. This latch device also comprises the inclined or cam face 22 and the stem 23 which Y iS guided to slide vertically. in" a by means of a link 26 (Fig. 3) to a crank 27 carried by a rock shaft 28 extending transf versely across and below the maintrack. At its opposite end the rock shaft is provided with a crank arm 29 -to which the lower end of a connecting rod 3() is secured. Preferably this connecting rod is adjustable in length by means of the turn buckle a. The upper end Iof the connecting rod 30 is secured to a crank arm 31 carried by a rock shaft 32 journalled in bea-rings in a supporting structure 33 disposed ina plane above that of the main track supports 34. The shaft 32 is provided with a crank arm 35 a-t its other end connected by means of a rod 36 with a crank arm 37 secured to another shaft 38 also journalled upon the supporting structure 33. A feeler 39, preferably in the form of an elongate plate, is secured to the shaft 38 and depends therefrom toward the floor of 'the main track.

At a point adjacent to the normal position of the extension member 19 of the' 40 is secured to the This switch arm 15 a bracket inner rail 6 of the branch track 5.

bracket is provided with a guide opening for the reception of the stem 41 of apusher device having a head 42 which .normally engages the extension 19 on the opposite sideV thereof from the latch' 21. A sprlng 43 is interposed between the bracket 40 and the head 42 which normally holdsthe head 42 with resilient pressure against the extension 19. A stop pin 44 extending transversely through the stem 41 limits movement of the -latter under the action of the spring 43.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 4 and 5 a vertical rock shaft 45 is journalled at the side of the main track opposite to the branch track 9. Thisshaft supports a switch arm 46 adapted to to but above the plane of the main track. The freeY extremity of this arm is supported by means of a brace rod 46a. A spring 47 en- .circles the rock shaft 45 and reacts upon the latter so as normally to hold the switch arm 46 in inoperative position substantially parallel to4 the rail 2 of the main track and against a sto member 48. The switch arm 46 is of sufficient length so that when operatively positioned to divert carriers from the main track it extends completely across the latter and into substantial engagement with the inner rail 10 of the branch track l9.

The rock shaft 45 is furnished .with a' crank arm 49 at a pointbelow the plane of the main track which is connected by a rod and carried by swing in-a plane closely adj acentv The other arm 53 of this lever is connected by a link 54 to a crank arm 55 secured to a vertical rock shaft 56 journalled to' turn in bearings atone side of the main track. A substantially horizontal arm 57 is adjustably secured to the upper part of the rock4 shaft 56 and supports an adjustable collar 58 provided with, a dependingdetector or feeler finger 59.

A latch 60 is provided near the intersection of the rails 3 and 10 and comprises a. stem 61 sliding in a bracket 62 carried by the rail 3' andv normally held in operative position by acoil spring 63. This latch is furnished with a substantially vertical face 64 engageable with the'end of the switch arm 46 for holding'the latter in operative position, and with an inclined or beveled cam face 65.

The lower end of the stem 61 is connected by a link 66 to one arm v67 of a bell crank lever pivoted at 68 and having its other arm- 69 connected bv a link 70 to a crank arm 71. The crank arm 71 is secured to one end of a horizontal rock shaft 72 journalled in bea-rings below thebranch track 9 and provided with a trip lever 73 which normally p'rojects up above the plane of the floor o the branch track.

Referring again to Figs. 2 and 3 a carrier is indicated in broken lines at 74. This cairier may be a container for articles to be transported or may itself constitute the article to be carried by the conveyer. Onecontemplated use of the conveyer system herein disclosed is in textile mills where spinning and roving ,spools or bobbins are commonly transported in open topped boxes from one part of the mill to another. When employed for this purpose, the carriers 74 may consist of such boxes and in accordance with the present invention the boxes for both roving and spinning boxes are of substantially the same dimensions and alike at both ends. The vertical dimensions of the boxes proper are such that none of them, while 'moving along the main track of the conveyer will come into operative contact with either the feeler 39 or the feeler 59.

The boxes for holding bobbins of one ty e, for example, the-roving boxes are provirffad at one or both ends with one or more o enings or sockets? 5 for the reception of selecting pins 7 6. These pins which may be considered as constituting parts or elements of. the boxes to which they are secured, project up above the top ofthe boxes proper to a sufficient height to cause them to engage the feeler 39 and also the feeler 59, if they are in longitudinal alignment with the latter.

The operation of the improved conveyer is as follows, it being assumed that all of the spinning boxes or carriers are to be diverted from the main track onto the branch track 5 and that certain or all ofthe roving boxes any suitable manner.

are to be diverted from the main track onto the branch track 9.

As the spinning boxes approach the. branch track 5 they pass freely beneath the feeler '39 and come into engagement with the norupper edges of the roving boxes engage the feeler 39 and cause it to swing so as to rock shaft 38 and through the connections above described to depress the latch 21 and free the latter from the extension 19 of the switch arm.

Assoon as the latch disengages the extension 19, the pusher device kicks the switch arm outwardly and away from the latch 21, so that asvthe roving box or carrier leaves the feeler 39, the latch is unable immediatelyto reengage the switch arm. The roving box then contacts with the unlatched switch arm and swings the latter in opposition to Ithe springlS to inoperative position' and passes freely on along the main track. :As soon as the carrier has passed the extremity of the switch arm 15, the latter returns to its normal position under the action of the spring 18 and its momentum is sufficient to cause the extension 19 to ride up over the beveled surface 22 of the lat-ch thus depressing the latter until the extension 19 has passed the latch head whereupon the latter rises and locks the arm in position. At the same time the spring 43 is compressed and the pusher isrestored to normal position.

The roving box now continues along the main track until it passes beneath the feeler or detector member 59. If the pin 76 upstanding from the roving box is in alignment with the` detector finger 59, it will engage the latter and swing the rock shaft 56 and thereby, through the connections above described, move the switch arm 46 from its normally inoperative position shown in Fig. 1 to the operative position shown in Fig. 4.

-As the arm reaches its operative position it engages the inclined surface of the latch 60 and depresses the latter until the latch is enabled to snap up behind the arm and lock the latter in operative position. rlhe roving box or carrier now engages the arm 46 and is deflected onto the branch track 9. As the carrier continues down along the branch track 9, it passes over the upstanding trip lever 73 and depresses the latter thus, through the described connections, retracting the latch 60 and permitting the spring 47 to restore the switch arm 46 to normal inoperative position.

llnthe event that a series of carriers or boxesare dlverted onto the branch track 9 in rapid succession until the latter track is completely filled, the last box or carrier will hold the trip arm 73 continuously depressed, thus retaining the latch 6() in inoperative position. If now the detector or feeler 59 engages another carrier moving along the main track and swings the switch arm 46 to operative position, the latter immediately swings back to inoperative position upon disengagement of the carrier from the feeler 5 9 so that when the carrier approaches the position of the vswitrh arm the latter is not retained in operative position by thc latch and the carrier continues on along the main track.

Likewise, if a carrier provided with an upstanding pin moves along the main track after passing the branch track 5 and its pin fails to engage the detector or feeler 59, the

switch arm 46 is not actuated and such carrier will continue on along the main track without deflection. Thus carriers of one class as for example the spinning carriers or boxes are all deflected at the branch track 5, while carriers of the other class may or may not be deflected at the branch track 9 in accordance with the arrangement of the pins projecting from their upper edges.

The present arrangement makes it possible to separate carriers of the second class, that is tosay, those provided with pins, into a large number of sub-classes or divisions if .desired by providing a series of branch tracks 9 and positioning the detector or feeler 59 corresponding to each branch track in definite relation to a certain selected pin mounted upon the corresponding carrier.

Preferably the -sockets 75 of the carriers do not extend beyond the center of width of the box and if 'desired a series of such sockets may be arranged at each end of the box. lf a pin be placed in a selected* socket at one end of the box it will only be effective when the box is moving in one direction for if-the box be reversed in position the pin will `be 'ineHective upon the particular detector with which it would ordinarily engage. On the other hand if pins be placed in corresponding sockets at each end of the box, the box may be moved with either end in advance without change in operation.

While spinning and roving boxes have been referred to by way of example, as in- 'dicative of different classes of carriers which may be moved along by a conveyer, it is to be understood that this is merely by way of illustration and that the-diverting devices herein described are capable of use for selecting carriers of other types and for other uses, and irrespective of the kind of track or other carrier guiding means employed.

I claim:

1. A conveyer system comprising a track for carriers, a plurality of branch tracks, means normally operative to divert all carriers of one class into the first branch track,

means operable by carriers of a second class to render the diverting means inoperative, normally inoperative switching means associated with the other branch track, and means operable by selected carriers of the second class to render said switching means operative to divert said' selected carriers into the last named branch track.l

2. A conveyer system comprising a main track and a plurality of branch tracks, a movable switch device normally positioned to divert all carriers passing along the main trackonto the first branch track, means operable by all carriers of one class to render said switch device inoperative whereby to permit' all such carriers to continue along the main track, a second switch device associate'd with another branch track, said de vice being normally inoperative to divert carriers of said class moving along the main track, andmeans operative by certain of said carriers to move said switch device into operative position to divert such carriers from the main track.

3. A conveying system comprising a main track for carriers, and a plurality of switch devices spaced along the track, one of said switch devices comprising a switch arm normally disposed to divert carriers laterally from the track, releasable means for holding the arm in normal position, and carrier controlled means 'for releasing said holding means, Aa second switch device comprising a switch arm normally disposed out of the path of carriers on the track, means operable by selected carriers to move said latter switch arm into operative position to divert carriers from the track, and releasable means for retaining said latter arm in operative position.

4. A conveying system comprising a track for carriers, and a plurality of switch devices spaced along the track, each device comprising a pivoted arm arranged to be swung across the track to divert carriers therefrom, means normally locking one arm in operative position, means normally retaining the other arm in inoperative position, and means operable by certain carriers moving along the track for unlocking the first arm and for moving the second arm to operative position.

5. A conveyer system comprising a track for carriers, pivoted switch arms spaced along the track, releasable latch means normally holding one'l arm in position to divert carriers laterally from 'the track, resilient means normally tending to hold the second switch arm in inoperative position, and means operable by certain carriers in moving along the track to release the latch means and to swing the second switch arm to operative position.

6; A conveyer system comprising a track, a. switch arm pivoted to swing transversely over the track, a latch normally retaining the arm in position to divert carriers laterally from the track, a feeler member enffageable by a carrier moving along` the 'ack to release the latch, means constantly tendin to restore the arm to normal position wv en moved therefrom, and means independent of the carriers to initiate movement of the arm away from normal position. 7. A conveyer system comprising a track, a switch arm pivoted to swing in a plane above but adjacent to the track, a latch normally holding the arm in position to divert carriers laterally from the track, a horizontal shaft above the track, a feeler secured to the shaft engageable by carriers passing along the track, and connections between the shaft an'd latch for releasing the latch upon rotation of the shaft. l

8. A conveyer system comprising a track,

a switch device arranged in a plane` above but adjacent tothe track', releasable latch means for holding the switchv device in osition to divert carriers from the trac a horizontal shaft having its axis disposed in a plane above that of the switch device and extending transversely of the track, a feeler secured to the shaft and depending therefrom for engagement by carriers moving along the track, and connections between the shaft and latch means to release the latter upon impact of a carrier with the feeler.

9. A conveyer system comprising a track for carriers, a rock shaft above the track extending transversely across the latter, a feeler depending from the shaft into the path of carriers moving along the track and operable upon impact by a carrier to rock the shaft, a movable switch. device normally positioned for vengagement by carriers subsequent to their movement past the feeler, releasable means for retaining the switch device in normal position, a crank secured to the rock-shaft, and connections between the crank and the releasable retaining means.

10. A conveyer system comprising a track for carriers, a switch for diverting carriers laterally from the track, a support arranged above the track, a rock shaft journalled upon the support and having its axis disposed in a plane above that of the top of the tallest carrier employed, a feeler secured to the shaft and depending into the path of carriers moving along the track, Ia crank on the shaft, a second shaft ournalled upon the support, crank arms secured to the shaft, a link connecting the crank to one of said crank arms, a latch for holding the switch in normal position, and connections, between the other crank arm and the latch.

11. A conveyer system comprising a track for carriers, a support above'the track, a rock shaft, a carrier engaging feelcr secured to the shaft, a secon-d shaft journalled upon the support having a pair of crank arms se cured to it, a link connecting one of said arms with an arm secured to the first shaft, a switch pivoted to turn about a substantially vertical axis, a vertically movable latch engageable with the switch normally to retain it in position to divert carriers from the track, a bell crank lever having one arm secured to the latch, and a link connecting the other arm of said lever with the second crank arm of the second shaft.

12. 'A conveyer system comprising a track for carriers, a switch arm pivotally supported at one side of the track to -swing trans` versely across the latter, spring means tending `to return -the switch arm to normal position when the arm is moved from normal position, a releasable latch for retaining the switch arm in normal position, means for disengaging the latch from the arm, andl means independent of the carriers for imparting initial movement to the switch arm. in opposition to its controlling spring upon disengagement of the latch.

13. A conveyer system comprising a track for carriers, a pivoted switch arm, a latch for positively retaining the arm in normal position, carrier actuated means for disengaging the latch from the arm, and a spring v actuated device operative immediately upon disengagementv of the latch to initiate movement of the arm away from normal position.

14. A conveyer system comprising a track for carriers, a pivoted switch arm, means tending to restore the switch arm to normal position when moved therefrom, a latch for positively retaining the arm in normal position, carrier actuated means to release the latch, and a spring plunger arranged to kick the arm away from the latch when disengaged Jfrom the latter to prevent premature re-engagement, of the latch and arm.

15. A conveyer system comprising a track for carriers, a movable switch device, means tending to restore the switch device to normal position when moved therefrom, a retainer for positively holding the switch device in normal position, a feeler arranged to be engaged by carriers passing along` the track prior to their movement past the switch device, connections between the feeler and retainer for rendering the latter inoperative upon engagement of a carrier with the feeler, and means operative to prevent operative reengagement oftthe retainer and switch device during the interval in which the carrier is moving from the feeler to the switch device.

16. A- conveyer system having a track for carriers, a switch arm pivotally supported at one side of the track to swing transversely across the latter, a latch having a vertical side wall engageable with they free extremity of the arm to retain the latter in operative position, said latch having aninclined guide surface leading to its vertical face, a spring actuated pusher o-perable upon release of the switch device from the latch to move the switch device away from the latch to prevent immediate re-engagement ofthe latch and switch device.

18. A conveyer system comprising a track having a switch device normally operative to divert carriers from the track, asecond switch device normally inoperative but movable to position to devert carriers fromthe track, and means operable by carriers moving along the track to render the first switch device inoperative and the second switch de?" vice operative. y

19. A; conveyer system comprising a track for carriers, a normally inoperative switch device, a swinging feeler movable about a vertical axis arranged to be engaged by carriers moving along the track, and connections actuable by movement of the feeler to move the switch device to operative position to divert carriers from the track.

20. A conveyer system comprising a track for carriers, a switch f arm pivotally supported at one side of the track, means normally holding said arm substantialy parallel to the track, a vertical rock-.shaft journalled at one side of the'track, a feeler carried by the rock-shaft disposed in the path of carriers moving along` the track, a crank arm secured to the rock-shaft, and connections between the crank arm and swltch arm arranged to move thelatter to operative posi tion 'when the rock shaft is turned.

21. A. conveyer system comprising a track 'for carriers, a switch arm pivoted at one side of the track to swing transversely across the latter, a spring normally holding the switch armxin inoperative osition, a vertical rock-shaftyan arm secured) to the rock shaft extending transversely across the track, a feeler secured to the arm engageable by carriers moving along the track, a crank arm secured to the rock shaft, and connections uniting the crank'arm with the switch arm to swing the latter to operative position when the rock shaft is turned by contact of a carrier with the feeler.

22. A conveyer system comprising a track for carriers, a vertical rock shaft at one side of the track, a switch arm secured to the rock shaft, a spring acting upon the rock shaft normally to hold the switch arm in inoperative position substantially parallel to the'track, a feeler arranged to be engaged by carriers moving along the track, and link and lever connections between the feeler and rock shaft arranged to turn the latter and swing the switch arm transversel across the track upon engagement of the eeler by a carrier.

23. A conveyer system comprising a track for carriers, a vertical rock shaft journalled at one side of the track, a switch arm secured to the rock shaft to swing ina plane above but adjacent to the track, a stop adjacent to the side of the track, a spring normally holdingl the arm against the stop in substantial parallelism with the track, a latch at the opposite side of the track engageable with the switch arm to hold it in operative position extending transversely across the track, a feeler device enga cable by carriers moving alon the trani, and connections between the eeler and switch arm for moving the latter from normal inoperative position into engagement with the latch.

24. A conveyer system comprising a main track Jfor carriers, a branch track diverging therefrom, a switch arm pivoted at one side of the mam track to swing across the latter, a spring normally holding the arm in inoperative position substantiall parallel to the main track, means actuab e by a carrier movingalong the main track for swinging the. arm to operative position to divert carriers on to the branch track, a vertically sliding spring actuated latch enga-geable with the free extremity of the switch arm to retain the latter in operative positlon, a rock shaft extending transversely across the branch track, a trip secured to the shaft and projecting into the path of carriers moving along the branch track, a crank on the shaft, a bell-crank level', a linkI connecting the crank with one arm of the lever, and a link connecting the other arm of the lever with the latch.

25. A conveyer system comprising a track for carriers, a movable switch device for diverting carriers from the track, means normally holding said switch device in inoperative positlon, a substantially vertical rock-shaft at one sideof the track, an arm secured to the rock shaft and extending transversely across the track and above the latter, a feeler adjustable longitudinally of the arm and depending from the latter, and connections between the rock shaft and switch device for moving the latter to operative position.

26. A conveyer system comprising a track, a movable switch device for diverting carriers from the track, means normally holding the switch device in inoperative position, carriers movable along the track, pins pro,- jecting upwardly from the carriers, the pins of certain carriers being positioned differently width-wise of the track from pins of other carriers, a feeler arranged above the track and ad]ustable to engage a pin of any of said carriers, and means connecting the feeler with the switch device for causing the latter to move to operative position.

27. A conveyer system comprising a main track for carriers, a branch track diverging therefrom, a normally inoperative switch arm for diverting carriers from the main track to the branch track, a feeler device operable by a carrier moving along the main Itrack Jfor moving the switch arm to operative position, a vertically sliding spring actuated latch engageable with the arm for retaining it in operative position, a trip lever arranged in the path of carriers entering the branch track, and connections operable by said trip lever for disengaging the latch from the switch arm.

Signed by me at Syracuse, N. Y., this twenty-sixth day of November 1923.

THos. s. KNAP. 

